School districts to consider vo-tech renovation project
GEORGES TWP. — The joint operating committee of the Fayette County Career and Technical Institute has moved a step closer to a $4.9 million renovation project at the school.
The committee approved a motion Monday to authorize members from the four districts that send students to the school to place resolutions before their school boards seeking approval and acceptance of the financial responsibility of a planned renovation project that includes significant improvements to the building’s roof as well as the boiler and electrical systems.
According to the school’s solicitor, Gary Frankhouser of Davis and Davis Attorneys at Law of Uniontown, directors will be asked to adopt the resolution in October to allow for movement of the project that includes finishing financial components in November and issuing contracts in late November or early December. Boards from all four school districts — Albert Gallatin, Brownsville Area, Uniontown Area and Laurel Highlands — must agree to proceed with the project.
Frankhouser said the resolution will reflect the responsibilities of the district for the project not to exceed $4.9 million and allow the administration of the vo-tech school to proceed with the project.
During a meeting last week, Albert Gallatin directors were the first to adopt the resolution for the capital improvement project.
“I hope the other boards really see the need of the project,” said Edward Colebank, committee member and Albert Gallatin school director.
On Monday, Richard Phelps of Linc Facility Services of Canonsburg recapped financial plans with the committee that calls for $4.8 million in renovations and $122,000 in legal and finance costs. Through the Guaranteed Energy Savings program, the school would benefit from about $40,500 in energy saving costs a year and about $70,000 in operational savings from no longer needing to service and fix old equipment.
Phelps said those figures are guaranteed, and if the savings fall short of the $110,000, Linc will be financially responsible for the difference.
The final annual district contributions would be about $240,000 over 20 years. The annual payment per district would be $52,128 for Albert Gallatin, $25,440 for Brownsville, $74,520 for Uniontown Area and $87,912 for Laurel Highlands.
Phelps said no payment would be due until one year after the renovation completion date.